Ever since that day on the roof, Goro picked up a rather rude habit.

“Kyaah~! Did you see?! He looked right at me!” [High school girl]

“No! Elyon looked right at me!” [High school girl]

“… Wanna bring a pitchfork?” [High school guy]

“… No, it’s too big. It’ll get confiscated.” [High school guy]

“… Ah, you’re right.” [High school guy]

During class, while the girls were squealing in delight and the guys were honorably enduring their murderous impulse because of one elf, the green-haired dragon was staring at Ava. He was in the back of the class, so he could clearly see her from his desk. As always, whether it’d be during break or a lesson, she was doing her own thing. Rarely, she would listen in class. The only times would probably be history. Besides that, she could be seen napping, gazing out the windows or staring at her hand.

His observations continued for days, during class and after school. When no one was around, the half-elf would go to the rooftop. She picked the lock to the door, much like he did, and trained by herself. There were multiple exercises aimed at increasing her strength, speed, agility, balance and endurance. Then, at the end of it all, she would be simulating a fight and began fighting an invisible opponent. It was slow at the start, but gradually sped up as she chained movements after movements.

One day…

“How long do you plan on watching?” [Ava]

Pausing her training, Ava called out to Goro who was hiding behind the door. He obediently showed himself.

“Didn’t think you’d noticed.” [Goro]

“I noticed you days ago when you began stalking me. What do you want? A rematch? Spying on the enemy?” [Ava]

“You’ve got guts, alright. Real guts.” [Goro]

Unlike before, Goro only smirked at her impudence instead of getting angry. But, his confidence soon waned and he scratched the back of his head, clearly uncomfortable.

“Look…” [Goro]

He paused and stared to the side, not meeting Ava in the eye.

“You mind if we hang out?” [Goro]

There was a moment of silence between them as she processed his question. Afterwards, she tilted her head.

“… Huh? You’ve been stalking me just to say that? Didn’t know you were such a shy guy. Ah, you’re blushing.” [Ava]

Her sleepy-looking eyes made him keenly aware how embarrassing it was. As such-

“S-SHUT UP!!” [Goro]

He lost his cool.

----------------------------------------

“EEHHHH??! R-r-r-really?!!” [Fyr]

Fyr exclaimed loudly, wide-eyed and shocked.

“You’re not kidding, right?” [Allen]

Allen as well was dumbfounded and stared in disbelief.

“Yeah, I was surprised too.” [Ava]

Ava chipped in as she shared their sentiments.

“You all… Is it that hard to believe that I have good grades?!” [Goro]

Goro yelled at them in anger while they all watched him with lukewarm eyes.

“But, um, it’s Goro.” [Fyr]

“It’s Goro we’re talking about.” [Allen]

“You look like a dumb delinquent.” [Ava]

“Ava! I’ll kill you!” [Goro]

The four of them were eating their lunch on the rooftop and showing their doubts when Goro mentioned that he had good grades. None of them believed him. Although he roared in anger, he didn’t get violent. After Ava relayed to Allen and Fyr what he told her, they were skeptic and hesitant in accepting him. But, having shared a couple of meals with him, they finally opened up to the dragon. He was oddly fun to tease.

So, their unauthorized-rooftop-entry group now had one more person, and this in turn changed their daily routine. One such example would be in the evening, when school had long since ended. Now that they befriended Goro, they made use of his strength. On the rooftop, Ava and Allen would spar against him. However, they never won once. The dragon race was simply that strong.

“Ava, would you stop trying to just barely dodge my punch?! You keep getting hit!” [Goro]

“This is how I fight. Using the least amount of movements to defeat my enemies. That is how a true master, no, a true man fights.” [Ava]

Since the half-elf didn’t have a job like the human and harpy did, she and the young dragon would train first until the others arrived.

“For the last time, you’re a damn girl! And you only want to be lazy, don’t you?!” [Goro]

“What’s wrong with that?” [Ava]

“Don’t take it easy in a fight!! You want to die!?!” [Goro]

Allen took it seriously and came at Goro with all his might which pleased and prompted him to offer some helpful tips. As for Ava, her style of fighting annoyed him, so he often yelled at her. The reason was because of the way he was brought up which didn’t match well with her way of thinking.

“Don’t tell me that, brat. You take hits like they’re nothing and punch with all your might without getting tired. That’s your fighting style as a dragon since you’re all so damn tough and you’ve got stamina to waste. There’s no way I can copy that.” [Ava]

“Oi, stop calling me a brat, damn it.” [Goro]

He growled at her.

The two sparred for hours, sometimes taking breaks to recover their strength, which was mostly for Ava who rehydrated herself and lied on her back.

“Sit straight. People can see up your skirt.” [Goro]

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

“Then tell them not to look.” [Ava]

The half-elf waved her hand lazily and went back to resting like a bear with her arms spread out. As always, she was quite sloppy. Goro heard that she even had Fyr comb her hair for her in the morning.

“You, if you keep being like that, guys will take advantage of you.” [Goro]

“That’s not gonna happen. I have high defense.” [Ava]

“You really don’t sound convincing when you’re sprawled on the ground.” [Goro]

He felt like sighing at her unwomanly behavior and nearly put his hand to his forehead. Then, as if he remembered something, he looked around him. There was no one else but them since Allen and Fyr hadn’t joined them yet. He took a quick peek at Ava and turned his sight away. It repeated a few times until he made his resolve.

“Oi.” [Goro]

“What?” [Ava]

“… Did you tell your friends?” [Goro]

“Tell what to whom?” [Ava]

“That human and harpy, Allen and Fyr. Did you tell them about… You know…” [Goro]

His words were vague and his voice trailed off at the end, but Ava knew what he was talking about. The memory of being seen by him while she was having a panic attack was still fresh on her mind.

“I told you to forget about that.” [Ava]

“Like anyone can forget. You looked half-crazed.” [Goro]

“Yeah, yeah. Forget about it, brat.” [Ava]

“Would you stop calling me a brat?! Anyway, did you tell them?” [Goro]

“Why do you want to know that?” [Ava]

“… I want to know if I shouldn’t say anything unnecessary around them.” [Goro]

Goro turned his sight towards her. She was still lying on her back and gazing at the sky.

“I keep telling you to forget, don’t I?” [Ava]

“Yeah?” [Goro]

“That’s because it’s not something I want to spread around.” [Ava]

“… Got it.” [Goro]

He slightly nodded his head. There was another question on his tongue, one that a multitude of people wanted to ask her. But, he hesitated and kept his mouth shut. Although Elyon served as a shield and attracted the attention away from her, there were many that still kept their eyes on the rumored half-elf. The attack on Sanctuary Academy was spread worldwide as well as rumors of a black-haired elf that granted power to others. Ava was the only half-elf with black hair in school.

There were many who wanted to confirm if she was the one spoken of. Some of them might even wish to pull her to their sides. Despite being a school open to the public, children of influential houses like nobles attended it. As such, quite a bit of politics was involved here and there. It wouldn’t be weird if some students got orders from their parents to get close to her so as to make use of her powers. That was how valued elven magic was. Even Goro himself…

Roughly ruffling up his green hair, Goro shook off his thoughts.

“Break’s over. Let’s get back to it.” [Goro]

“Alright.” [Ava]

Ava got up and stood before him. The two faced each other silently as the tension increased between them. However, it was soon deflated by one question from the half-elf.

“By the way, did you actually look up my skirt?” [Ava]

“Wha-! Ugh, NO! I DIDN’T!!” [Goro]

“… Damn. That’s gross, pervert.” [Ava]

“Perve-?! Yooouuu! You’ve really got guts to mess with a dragon, AVAAAA!!” [Goro]

Their duel was rather intense on that day, but that was what Fyr was there for and she quickly patched up Ava’s bruises. Then, following Allen’s lead, she scolded Goro for fighting too seriously and he quietly endured their lecture.

----------------------------------------

Such days of peacefully passing time together and training together continued for the four of them. The dragon had fully integrated into the group and Allen and Fyr completely warmed up to him. They thought it would last for a bit longer, but it didn’t. There were all sorts of problems, one being very close to them.

“What are you doing?” [Elyon]

Elyon’s cold voice washed over the four who were on the roof. Fyr, who was in the middle of bandaging Allen’s arm, froze in place. Allen and Goro snapped their heads towards the blonde elf that was standing in front of the door. Ava, who was being pierced by his gaze, slowly turned her eyes towards him. No one noticed his presence at all.

“What are you doing?” [Elyon]

He repeated his question as the intensity in his voice increased.

“I was training.” [Ava]

Ava answered in a calm, emotionless tone. The other three stared at her reflexively, wondering just where did the usual sleepy-looking girl disappear to.

“… I believe you were told not to do anything rash.” [Elyon]

“Yes.” [Ava]

“Did you?” [Elyon]

“No.” [Ava]

Elyon narrowed his eyes and stared at the half-breed he was in charge of. Just as he decided to go and see what she was up to on the roof after school every day, he found her with three other students. Moreover, two of them were tired and beat up from their sparring matches.

“… It doesn’t matter then. Come.” [Elyon]

He said and turned around to leave. Ava quietly walked towards him. Just as she reached his side, something prevented them from crossing the door.

“Wait.” [Allen]

The voice of the red-haired human shattered the tense and silent situation where only their footsteps were heard.

“We’re not doing anything wrong. We’re just training. Why does she have to leave?” [Allen]

He asked as he intently stared at Elyon who slowly turned around to face him.

“You’re the one from before… If I remember correctly, I told you that this matter involves Faywood. Please, do not interfere.” [Elyon]

“How does her spending time with us involve an entire nation?” [Allen]

“It is a national secret.” [Elyon]

“Then, you can’t really give us a good reason.” [Allen]

Unlike last time, Allen was adamant in making Elyon retreat. Both Fyr and Goro, who muttered “the handsome bastard again”, were glaring at him.

“If I tell you it’s a national secret, then that means it’s not something that humans, or any other races, are allowed to hear. Do you want to cause trouble between my country and yours?” [Elyon]

At the blonde elf’s question, Allen couldn’t help but keep quiet. In his position, it wouldn’t be odd if a war started because of him. Still, he soon found words to fire back.

“… If the secret is about Ava’s powers, then we know it. Everyone knows it. About her light, about what it does. Two years ago, everyone saw how the school’s guards became stronger and made quick work of the mercenaries. We know that she can make people more powerful than they normally are using her elven magic.” [Allen]

This time, it was Elyon who was silent as he narrowed his eyes.

“It’s not really a secret. That’s why there’s really no point in keeping her away from us.” [Allen]

“That is not something for you to decide. I have orders from my country. It’s my duty to keep an eye on her.” [Elyon]

“Huh? You gonna stalk her all year long? Don’t tell me you sneak into her room at night.” [Goro]

Goro spoke up and shot some insults to rile him up, but Elyon merely smirked at his attempts.

“You make it sound like I’m infatuated with her. She’s our asset and I’m only here to make sure that no one gets their hands on her.” [Elyon]

“W-why are you talking like Ava’s a thing. She’s a person.” [Fyr]

Fyr said as she anxiously looked at the expressionless Ava who was standing next to the handsome elf. She stuttered and sounded rather meek, but her voice was clearly heard.

“If you know what she can do, then it shouldn’t be weird at all. It’s the only reason why my country is paying for her enrollment in Sanctuary Academy. It’s why I’m here, wasting my time to make sure that no other kingdom steals her from us. Her powers make her useful. Otherwise, that half-breed would have already been exiled.” [Elyon]

Elyon’s cold declaration, his emotionless explanation, made everyone but Ava freeze in place and widen their eyes from the blunt truth. Then, they showed different reactions. Fyr covered her mouth with her hands as she shook her head slowly, her eyes becoming moist. Allen’s shocked face didn’t change, but he tightly clenched his trembling fists and his nails dug into his skin. Goro’s glare was so fierce that he could probably kill someone with it.

The fact that they were all aware of and vaguely saw, but never touched it, was before them. Half-elves were hated by elves and often ostracized by other races. Ava had lived that kind of life since she was born and was only kept like a weapon because she was deemed useful. For the past two years, while they didn’t see her, just what kind of treatment did she receive in the elven kingdom?

Allen and Fyr knew her since they were twelve, and yet they left her like that, thinking that she’d eventually share her problems with them. Goro, who could tell that she was a strong individual, felt rage at seeing her current appearance. Someone was speaking of her so cruelly while she was right next to them, and yet, she wasn’t reacting at all. She didn’t move, didn’t speak, didn’t even bat an eyelid. She simply stood there like an immobile statue.

They understood that Ava had grown used to the pain and the abuse, but they had all seen a side of her that she didn’t show others. They had seen her sad, seen her cry and seen her scream in agony.

That was why Fyr couldn’t help but cry for the lonely half-elf.

That was why Allen couldn’t help but want to punch that blonde-haired elf.

And that was why Goro couldn’t control himself.

“Oi, bastard…” [Goro]

His voice was low like the growl of a beast. He took a step forward as he menacingly glared at Elyon. His scaly tail slapped the ground hard and he cracked his knuckles.

“Get over here. I’ll beat that face of yours in.” [Goro]

As the situation was turning into a violent one, Ava, who was more or less the cause of it, was still calmly watching from the sidelines like a bystander.

“(Oh? A dragon against an elf? This is getting good.)” [Ava]

She thought, completely carefree.